Many free and low-cost events are being held in Rancho Bernardo, Poway and Carmel Mountain Ranch in the days leading up to Halloween. Here are some of the options.
Rancho Bernardo
• The Rancho Bernardo Pumpkin Station, 13421 Highland Valley Road, is offering hayrides, a corn maze, petting zoo and mechanical train (each activity is $5 per person, train fee is per child). Pick out a pumpkin (prices vary based on size) or cut your own sunflowers ($2 per stem).
It is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Oct. 31 (hayride and corn maze close at 6 p.m.). For details, visit pumpkinstation.com.
* * * * *
• The Westwood Club will hold its annual Halloween carnival for members only from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 at the club, 17394 W. Bernardo Drive. There will be games, monster-themed mini golf and trick-or-treatings. Bring a bag or bucket to collect goodies. For details, call 858-485-6300.
* * * * *
• The Rancho Bernardo Library will host a free Halloween celebration for all ages from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28 in the library, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive.
Attendees can make a clothespin bat or yarn pumpkin, play games and participate in other fun activities. There will be a costume parade throughout the library at 6 p.m. Kids can also enjoy candy and prizes, while supplies last. For details, call 858-538-8163.
* * * * *
• The Rancho Bernardo Library will offer a Dia de los Muertos storytime in English and Spanish at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29. The free event is geared toward ages 5 to 8. The library is at 17110 Bernardo Center Drive. For details, call 858-538-8163.
* * * * *
• The Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center will distribute candy from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30. The center is at 18448 W. Bernardo Drive in RB Community Park. For details, call 858-538-8129.
• Poway Cruisers Car Club will host a “Trunk or Treat” event from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25 in the Poway Lowes parking lot, 13750 Poway Road. To register your vehicle and distribute treats, visit powaycruisers.com/events. For questions, email Shawn Hodgetts at [email protected].
* * * * *
• All ages can enjoy a ranger-led spooky night hike, costume contest, trick-or-treating and jack-o’-lantern craft during a Lake Poway Halloween Campout from 6 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 to 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 27 with activities beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday at Lake Poway, 14644 Lake Poway Road.
Cost: $65 per car for Poway residents, $78 per car for non-Poway residents. For details, call 858-668-4772.
* * * * *
• Poway Valley Riders Association’s annual Halloween Fun Show with horse riding and costume classes will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 on the PVRA grounds, 14336 Tierra Bonita Road in Poway. Junior and adult riders can compete in the afternoon with costumes for both the horse and rider.
Poway Valley Pony Club will hold a new and used tack sale. Spectators and leashed dogs are welcome to watch for free. For details, visit PVRA.com.
* * * * *
• Celebrate Halloween with carnival games and a haunted hallway during a Halloween carnival presented by the National Charity League from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 at the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road. Kids age 10 and younger are encouraged to come in costume. For details, call 858-513-2900.
* * * * *
• Poway’s annual “Once Upon a Halloween” will be held from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 in Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road. Test your bravery in the Templars Hall haunted house, play carnival games and ride aboard the Poway Midland Railroad. Train rides, carnival games and tasty treats available for a nominal fee.
There will be 10 trick-or-treat stations, a 4 p.m. costume parade (check-in at 3:30 p.m.), interactive “Nightmare Before Christmas” area, spine-chilling storytelling, arachnophobia area, hay maze and pumpkin patch photo area.
A new pumpkin carving and pumpkin painting contest will take place, with one entry per person. Winners will be announced on Oct. 28.
Admission to the haunted house is $1 per guest. The haunted house is not recommended for children under 5. It will also be open from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27 through Wednesday, Oct. 30. The hay maze will also be open during these times. For details, call 858-668-4576.
* * * * *
• The Community Church of Poway is hosting “Trunk or Treat” from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27 in its parking lot, 13501 Community Road. This free event will include games, prizes, hot dogs, chips and drinks, in addition to decorated cars with lots of candy. For details, call 858-748-3304.
* * * * *
• Bring spooky treats and a blanket to a ghostly, family-friendly event featuring the Halloween movie “Hocus Pocus” from 6:15 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27 at Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road.
* * * * *
• ‘Tweens and teens ages 11 to 17 years old can make a Halloween origami craft at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31 at the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road. For details, call 858-513-2900.
* * * * *
• Celebrate Dia de los Muertos with music, crafts, Ballet Folklorico and more from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road. For details, call 858-513-2900.
Carmel Mountain Ranch
• The Carmel Mountain Ranch Library will offer a Halloween-themed preschool storytime at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30. The “not so scary” event is for ages 2 to 4. Halloween costumes are optional. All children will receive a special surprise. The library is at 12095 World Trade Drive. For details, call 858-538-8181.
* * * * *
• The Carmel Mountain Plaza is holding its “Halloween Spooktacular” from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. Children in costumes are welcome to go trick-or-treating at the shopping center’s participating businesses. There will be live music by the 80’z All Stars in the courtyard by Barnes & Noble.
Free treat bags will be distributed at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and the Angelika Film Center. Participants are asked to bring a canned food item to support the San Diego Food Bank. The shopping center is at 11602-12174 Carmel Mountain Road.
* * * * *
• Participating businesses in the Carmel Mountain Ranch Town Center will be offering goodies to trick-or-treaters ages 12 and under who are dressed in costumes. They must be accompanied by an adult.
The event will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. The participating businesses will have a bright orange pumpkin in their window.
Free treat bags will be distributed near Soma, across from Chase Bank. The center is at 11815 Carmel Mountain Road.
Originally Published: October 15, 2024 at 4:44 PM PST